Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-05
A Synopsis Of Sermon delivered by
Rev. Loomis April oath,

At the Cong'l Church April oath, Rev
A. l.. L. LOOMS preached on 'sThe re-
lation of the church to the community
and the responsibility of the community
to the Church." showing that as it was
the object of scientific Society to dis
cover and hold up the truth as revealed
in nature before the minds of men for
their acceptance and use, so it was the
divinely given mission of the church to
hold up truth as revealed in the Word
of God for their acceptance and guild
ance.
That this truth accepted and practiced
will bring blessings to a community
is evident from its nature.
AS summarized in the ten command
ments, and in Christ's sermon on the
Mount, we must readily see that its
principles are love, justice, and benevo-
lence, which when accepted and made
to govern conduct must change the
natural tendencies of life, and bring
peace and good will to men. These
principles universally accepted, would
begin heaven on earth.
This is in accordance with the
prophesies of blessing when Christ
kingdom shall be established. That
this would be the result we can also see
from what has already been accom-
plished.
When the Persian King asked
England's Queen the secret of her
nations greatness, she handed him the
Bible, saying, this is the secret.
When we compare Turkey under
Mohamedism with America under the
influence of Christianity, we realize our
Indebtedness to the word of God.
In our own land we have only to
compare frontier town where the
influences of the church have not been
felt, where vice prevails and life and
property have but little safety, with a
town where religious influences are
uppermost, as in Vineland N j., where
the jail and poor house are without
inmates, and the most desirable con-
ditions of life are attained, to see how
much we are indebted to the Gospel
for the virtue and security we enjoy
If with only one-ifth of our people
professed Christians we have secured
such results, what may we expect when
the mass of the people are governed by
the principles of Gods word.
From these things it was argued that
as if the community is thus indebteded
to the Church, it ought to receive in
return its favor and generous support.
generally granted, but of regular at
tendance at the services of the church,
giving an opportunity for it's principles
to prevail in all hearts and the force of a
good example to others.
1t should also receive ample finan-
cial support from all classes in a commun-
ity. God to whom belongs the silver
and gold and cattle upon the thousand
hills, intends that a proper proportion
thereof be used for the support of his
cause and the extension of his king
dom.
The speaker drew sad picture of
what would be the condition of things
in this community in few years if the
churches should be allowed to go down,
and referred to town in France where
the people were moving away because
it had become so wicked they could not
live there.
AS the best plan of support, the
weekly offering system was presented,
where every person young and old who
receives an income, is expected to put
their pledged offering in the collection
baskets each Sabbath morning, thus
securing from all according to ability
and making the gifts an act of worship.
But responsibilities do not cease
when pecuniary support is granted. The
work of Christ extends in consecrated
hearts. Do not be content to walk in
the light Of another lantern which must
fail you in the hour of death when you
need it most, but give your hearts to
Jesus and his work. Support the cause
by your spiritual cooperation and
prayers, and Christ will be light to
you on earth, and go with you across
the dark valley to the better land.